Traveling Teacher, Early Childhood Education

At Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford, we are committed to two interconnecting pillars of work: early learning and disability. Through these pillars, we transform the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through access to expert educational, family, and community support. As an affiliate of America’s largest nonprofit health care organization, we have proudly served the communities and families of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936.

Our Head Start / Early Head Start program provides high‑quality, family‑centered education for children from birth to age 5. We collaborate with over 35 early childhood programs to support families in Chicago and suburban Cook County. Together, Easterseals and these partner sites promote school readiness in young children of all abilities from families with incomes below poverty guidelines.

We are seeking a full‑time Traveling Teacher to join our team. This position supports our partner sites by providing temporary classroom coverage in Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms. Assignments last generally 4 weeks, but may be shortened or extended.

This role will travel throughout the Chicagoland area, including the City of Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Travel times can range from 30 minutes to an hour between sites. The Traveling Teacher will receive mileage reimbursement.

Sign‑on bonus: $4,000

Headquarters:
Easterseals Chicago Location (1939 W 13th Street, Chicago, IL 60608).

• Demonstrate knowledge of Creative Curriculum and utilize the system.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Teaching Strategies GOLD and utilize the online system.
• Lead classroom team in creating a developmentally appropriate environment.
• Supervise all children’s activities at all times.
• Account for children using active supervision.
• Support classroom quality by partnering with other staff.
• Attend required and recommended trainings and meetings.
• Complete an ongoing professional development plan.
• Support agency’s school readiness goals.
• Supervise and provide guidance to other classroom personnel.
• Research new curriculum methods and materials.
• Share responsibility for cleaning up after all classroom activities and properly care for equipment and supplies.
• Recommend maintenance and repairs to maintain safety compliance.
• Generate and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans.
• Utilize child outcome data to guide lesson planning.
• Participate in coaching to fidelity.
• Participate in IEP and/or IFSP meetings.
• Prepare reports on classroom activities, including attendance records.
• Use IEP/IFSP to support children with disabilities.
• Work closely with consultants and other Easter Seals staff.
• Travel to other classrooms and/or sites as needed to serve as teacher or teacher assistant.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

• Early Head Start / Early Head Start (EHS/PI) only:
  Minimum associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and working toward Gateways Level 4.
• Both HS/PFA and EHS/PI:
  Must meet Head Start requirements — bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or another related field with at least 30 hours of ECE coursework.
• Infant Toddler coursework required; infant‑toddler credential preferred.
• Working toward Gateways Credential Level 5 — Early Childhood Education.
• Working toward Gateways Infant/Toddler Credential Level 5.

• Experience teaching in an early childhood classroom.

• MS Office.

• Valid driver’s license.
• Auto insurance.
• Reliable vehicle.

• Bilingual skills may be required or preferred based on program needs.
• Create a classroom atmosphere that supports physical, intellectual, emotional, social and creative development.
• Work well with staff, families, other agencies and funding source personnel.
• Be well‑organized, detail‑oriented and accuracy‑driven.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Manage multiple projects efficiently.

Within 90 days of employment, must obtain and continually maintain basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification (or sooner if required by local/state regulations). Acceptable tuberculosis screening results, a clear criminal records check (including child abuse registry checks), and an initial health exam are required post‑offer and prior to employment. Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for vacancies for which they are qualified.

ADA:
Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted, all persons hired for this position must possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients (e.g., bending, floor‑sitting) and lift up to 50 pounds frequently.